For years, the youth of Croydon have felt “shut out” of the conversations that dictate their future. From rising crime rates to a lack of local investment, the feeling of being let down by local officials is widespread. We sat down with local young people to discuss their lived experiences and their vision for a more inclusive and supportive Croydon.
Croydon’s youth are being sidelined — again.
In a move that’s sparking outrage, the Conservative-led Croydon Council has been called out for quietly pushing forward changes to its Youth Engagement Team (YET) without properly consulting the very people those services are meant to support — young people and their families. The silence wasn’t just loud. It was deliberate. And it’s a slap in the face for a generation already battling rising unemployment, limited mental health support, and the erosion of safe spaces.
Labour MP Natasha Irons put it plainly: the lack of public consultation is “an insult.” And she’s right.
What’s Happening in Croydon?
Let’s break it down. Croydon Council wants to “reshape” youth services, claiming it’s to help the young people who need it “most” and in the “most effective way.” But behind those polished words is a worrying
